The Novel, The Gordian Knot…

Not every story has a happy ending. Consider police procedurals. According to Google Gemini, this type of fiction is “a subgenre of detective fiction and crime drama that realistically depicts the day-to-day investigations, forensic methods, and legal protocols of law enforcement officers.” Happy endings are for romances, not police procedurals.

The Gordian Knot by David O. Thomas is a fine example of this subgenre, but it takes the unhappy ending to a wholly new level. Yes, the mystery is solved. Yes, the detectives follow the rules and break them to resolve the caper. Yes, the murders stop. Also, yes, the powers-that-be in the police department are incapable buffoons who add undue pressure to our pair of intrepid detectives. 

The two detectives, Frank Spencer and Mike Estrada, hailing from different generations and possessing contrasting worldviews, meticulously investigate the minutiae of the case, facing both dead ends and occasional leads. Frank has already sacrificed his family due to his career and struggles with alcoholism, while Mike's increasing fixation on the case starts to alienate his loved ones. 

As readers, we also see the world through the eyes of the killer. Thomas does something clever by only telling the killer’s story through “limbs and steps,” not feelings or personal viewpoints. Some examples include—and these are poor examples, thanks to my memory—“the head turns,” “the arm lifts,” and “the hand grasps.” It takes a moment to get used to this narrative voice, for the novel opens with it, but when you do, it renders the actions of this individual quite visceral. 

The mystery resolves, the case ends, justice crosses the threshold, all of course, with tragedy. 

But must there be a figurative tragedy as well? Is this necessary to serve justice, or is it merely a symptom of sacrificing for your profession? If so, what does this book—and author David O. Thomas—have to say about police departments in general? Are they all like this? Where the brass bluster and only seek promotion? And the detectives chip away at their very souls with each case? 

I know that this novel follows the models of preceding examples, but, not being a policeman working in a city department, I wonder if all upper ranks in organizations like this behave this way.  

If you’re a fan of gritty, realistic police procedurals, then The Gordian Knot is for you. Thomas’ only other foray into literature is a memoir called Requiem For Justice I—a title I plan to read—which chronicles his experiences as a police officer. Perhaps from his worldview, all the brass in all the police departments are truly inept and self-serving.